“The Furlongs were upset by news stories in the first few days after Nicola’s death hinting that she may have been taking drugs.” “It wasn’t possible, they said, that the young woman they watched growing up could have changed so sharply over the other side of the world.”

“The Japanese police diligently build their case, almost resentfully dealing with journalists and releasing information only in fitful, cryptic bursts. Eventually, a prepared statement emerged from police HQ saying that two American men had been charged with something called quasi-forcible indecency against the two women, a legal term that had reporters scratching their heads. “It means plying someone with drink or drugs and groping or sexually assaulting them,” a police spokesman explained.”

Mr. Blackston, the American remains jail under the charge of quasi-forcible indecency due to groping or sexually assaulting Ms. Furlong’s comatose friend while in the back of a taxi cab should receive his sentence this week. The following is an explanation of the charge:

Article 178, Quasi Forcible Indecency; Quasi Rape:

(1) A person who commits an indecent act upon a male or female by taking advantage of loss of consciousness or inability to resist, or by causing a loss of consciousness or inability to resist, shall be punished in the same manner as prescribed for in Article 176 (see below).

A person who, through assault or intimidation, forcibly commits an indecent act upon a male or female of not less than thirteen years of age shall be punished by imprisonment with work for not less than 6 months but not more than 10 years. The same shall apply to a person who commits an indecent act upon a male or female under thirteen years of age.

If the case goes to trial, much will be made of what took place next. Did the women voluntarily accompany the men and drink too much, or were they drugged and tricked or forced into going back to their hotel?”

“The discussion is likely to hinge on toxicology reports showing exactly what was in Furlong’s bloodstream. Her friend reportedly remembers little about the attack, but has given the police a statement.”

Toxicology reports show that date rape drugs were not used on Ms. Furlong and her friend. Both women consumed an abundance of alcohol, as admitted by Ms. Furlong’s friend during testimony. This definitely impacted their mental and physical state. Were the women forced or tricked into going back to the hotel? Ms. Furlong’s friend testified that the women had no intention since she and Ms. Furlong both have boyfriends in Ireland. However, the men testified that the women showed interest in them and were questioned about where they were staying.

The Japan Times further reported:

“U.S. reports said that the charge was murder, though no such information was released by the police. Irish newspapers reported the death in a way that would almost certainly put them in contempt of court if the crime had taken place in Dublin.”

“Many outlets showed the heavily tattooed rapper side by side with a picture of the beautiful blond victim, an irresistible excuse for a toxic online stream of racist abuse.”

Yes, there has been a definite slant to the story surrounding Nicola Furlong’s death (or murder), the sexual assault of her friend and the men on trial. Some on YouTube have posted rants, racist comments and other diatribe found on the internet. For example:

Black Tokyo has no reason to respond to such comments. It is best to investigate and provide analysis and additional information in order to understand the rest of the story. Even the Japan Times reported:

“A major part of the problem for reporters was the lack of information from the authorities. It was Friday evening, over 40 hours after Furlong’s death, before the main Japanese news channels broke the story, by which time it had already made the Irish newspapers. Foreign reporters who called the Tokyo Metropolitan Police on Friday were told they had not heard of the case.”

There continues to be not much interest in the Nicola Furlong case in Japan. Why? Mainly due to the fact that a Japanese person is not involved. Other reasons may be diplomatic or political. Should this be major news in Japan? There have been similar crimes committed in Japan and the sentences have varied.

CASE 1: OLYMPIC JUDO CHAMPION

“A double Olympic judo gold medallist was jailed in Japan for raping a student. Masato Uchishiba was sentenced to five years in prison for the assault on a teenage member of a college judo club he was coaching. After a night of drinking and karaoke, the teenager, whose exact age was not given but who was believed to have been 18 or 19 at the time, fell asleep in her hotel room and awoke to find Uchishiba raping her. Married Uchishiba pleaded not guilty and maintained throughout the trial that the sex with the teenage student had been consensual. Uchishiba said in court he would appeal the decision.” Source

CASE 2: 50-YEAR-OLD JAPANESE EXECUTIVE

“The lower court handed down the ruling of guilty to Hideaki Ishii, in his 50s, for groping a 19-year-old woman in 2005 during his commute on the JR Yokohama line. After three and a half years’ legal battle to prove his innocence, the former sales executive of a leading corporation will be incarcerated later this month for a term of 1 year and 6 months.

According to Ishii, “Many people advised me after my arrest that I should admit to the charge and apologize. Then I’d be required to pay 50,000 yen as penalty and the case will be over. But I refused because it was something I didn’t do. I spent more than 10 million yen in legal fees to prove my innocence and I now face a prison sentence, even though I have no criminal record. The verdict stated that the sentence was appropriate in view of what they claimed was the absence of any sign of remorse. How am I to feel remorse over an act I didn’t commit?”

Shortly after the first trial, the prosecution changed the charge from violation of the nuisance prevention ordinance to public assault. Ishii’s lawyer suspected it was due to “loss of face,” since the court ordered his release from detention much earlier than prosecutors had hoped for.

Ishii was certain that his innocence would be proven at court. Around the time the crime allegedly happened, he was standing behind the female victim, but preoccupied with a text message he was sending to a friend. The cell phone records prove this fact, yet the victim insisted she was being groped during that time. A male witness also stated he saw Ishii from the time he was supposedly waiting at the platform for the train, and claimed that the act did happen. However, the said platform is not a station Ishii uses, either to get on or transfer for his commute. If the testimony were true, Ishii would have had to get off the train once. Based on the hour he left home for work, it was impossible for Ishii to be on that platform at the hour as testified.” SOURCE

CASE 3: US FORCES JAPAN SAILOR

“A USS George Washington sailor was fined 300,000 yen ($3,209) by a Yokosuka court Tuesday for groping two women.

The petty officer 1st class, 31, was found guilty of disturbing public peace after admitting to touching the women after drinking, local court and police officials said. Police said the sailor inappropriately touched a 20-year-old woman about 11:20 p.m. on Jan. 4 on a Yokosuka street. An hour later, police said the sailor hugged a 53-year-old woman from behind, touching around her breasts.

Police then found the sailor, who admitted to the allegations and registered a 0.06 blood alcohol level following a breath test.

The sailor’s name was not released because he was never formally arrested, Yokosuka police said.” SOURCE

CASE 3: US FORCES JAPAN AIRMAN

A Japanese court on Thursday sentenced a U.S. Air Force serviceman in connection with the molesting of a 10-year-old Japanese girl on the southern island of Okinawa, a court spokesman said.

“Blackston told prosecutor Takeru Isomura he and Hinds brought the women back to their hotel because they were heavily intoxicated and he didn’t want to leave them “on the street”.

Asked if the two men had discussed rape drugs in the taxi, Blackston said he hadn’t even known what a rape drug was.

However, he admitted touching Nicola’s friend in the taxi, a detail that reportedly came to light through a security video inside the vehicle.

He added: “I don’t know how many times, I just know that I did.”

Other surveillance footage from the Keio Plaza Hotel, where the two Americans were staying, showed Blackston pushing Nicola’s friend in a wheelchair to his room.

But Blackston claimed the woman “grabbed” him when he lay her down on one of two beds in the room.

He also claimed she tried to have sex with him but he refused when he remembered he didn’t have a condom.

Blackston said: “That’s the No1 rule.” He added he had also thought about his fiancee in the US.

In a previous hearing Blackston admitted having sex with two other women in Japan.

He is also standing trial on a separate charge of assault against one of them, which he also denies.

The dancer said he went to the hotel room where Hinds and Nicola were staying after she was strangled.

Upon returning to his room he said he woke Nicola’s sleeping friend and lent her one of his shirts.

He added: “I let her know, I said something is wrong with your friend.” Blackston was also quizzed about the second charge of assault, brought against him by a Japanese-Brazilian woman in Kofu, west of Tokyo, one month earlier.

Speaking after the hearing, his defence lawyer Tsutomu Nakamura said he “had confidence” his client would be found not guilty on that count but described the Tokyo case as “difficult”.

He believed the prosecutor had failed to prove Blackston’s guilt but said the taxi footage was “difficult to attack”.

Mr Nakamura added he expects Blackston to get a suspended sentence when the verdict is handed down.” SOURCE

THE POSSIBLE VERDICT FOR MR. BLACKSTON

So like the USFJ Sailor, Blackston admitted has admitted that he committed quasi-forcible indecency against Ms. Furlong’s friend in the taxi. He also admitted that he did not have sex with Ms. Furlong’s friend while the two were at the hotel.

Based on previous cases, it possible that Blackston will receive a fine and time served or a fine and no more than a 1-year prison sentence.

THE ACCUSED MINOR’S TESTIMONY

The American minor is defended by Nakamura International Criminal Defense. The following information is provided via their website:

“A lawyer specializing in criminal cases who was once a public prosecutor himself will aggressively defend your case. Nakamura International Criminal Defense is a law firm specializing in criminal cases. The founding partner has many years’ experience actually prosecuting criminal cases as an investigating prosecutor. Also on staff is a professional investigator who has many years’ experience in criminal investigation as a former police officer. If you are facing a criminal prosecution, our team of professionals will be your most powerful ally and defend you to the hilt.”

The legal firms website states:

Nakamura International Criminal Defense, we always strive to get the best results for you in the face of the fact that Japan has a 99.8% conviction rate. Our past achievements include:
・A not-guilty verdict in a drug-trafficking case where the prosecution demanded a 15-year jail sentence and a 5 million yen fine
・A not-guilty verdict in a case of false charges of embezzlement
・A suspended sentence at appeal, after the defendant switched to Nakamura International Criminal Defense, in a case where the initial sentence was actual jail time

“The man accused of murdering Irish student Nicola Furlong in Japan last year has claimed Japanese police changed his evidence.
“the minor” from Memphis, Tennessee, told the court that Ms Furlong had asked him to place his hand on her neck.

He said this happened several times over the course of the evening and he had exerted light pressure for a period of 30 seconds. His lawyer claimed, and he agreed, that the police had changed his statement to read “for two or three minutes”.

He also said that when Ms Furlong woke up in his hotel room, the first thing she said was: “What’s up?””

It was previously reported that Ms. Furlong answered the phone while in the minor’s hotel room. Supposedly, less than an hour later she would be found unconscious and pronounced deceased.

Prior to arriving at the Keio Plaza Hotel, the minor reported that the “Irish women said they were “going to drink them under the table”.

“The minor” described how, at one point in the night, Ms Furlong had collapsed in the toilet of the nightclub. He believed she was very drunk.

He brought her outside to a taxi where Mr Blackston was already helping her friend inside.

The minor was further “admitted that he used both hands to press “lightly” on Nicola’s neck on the night she died, during questioning from prosecution lawyers.

When asked why he had not said this yesterday or during his initial trial hearing last July, he replied: “Maybe I wasn’t heard correctly.”” SOURCE

The minor was shown footage from inside the taxicab the night the foursome went to the hotel. RTE reports:

“In the footage he is seen turning from his front passenger seat to ‘fist-bump’ his friend, James Blackston, who was allegedly carrying out a sexual assault on Nicola’s friend.

Hinds maintained he had not seen the alleged assault and repeated that his conversation concerned repaying Blackston money and not their intention to have sex with the Irish women.

He said he had no explanation for why Nicola died.

When asked if he understood that all of this was putting pressure on the victim’s family, he replied:

“No. They came across the world to court to know what happened.””

Nicola Furlong’s father said, “it is very hard to listen to “the minor,” who told the court Ms Furlong was very drunk and asked him to place his hand on her neck.” Mr Furlong added: “There are times my blood is boiling and I want to go and grab “him” and grab the defence by the throat for everything they’ve been saying but you just can’t.”

He claims that the defendant and the defense team try to blacken his daughter’s character. The defendant is scheduled to give evidence on Tuesday and Wednesday. A judgement is expected on the case on March 19 after evidence concludes later this week.

THE POSSIBLE VERDICT FOR THE MINOR?

If the minor is found guilty of:

(Quasi Forcible Indecency; Quasi Rape)
Article 178 (1)A person who commits an indecent act upon a male or female by taking advantage of loss of consciousness or inability to resist, or by causing a loss of consciousness or inability to resist, shall be punished in the same manner as prescribed for in Article 176.

(2) A person who commits sexual intercourse with a female by taking advantage of a loss of consciousness or inability to resist, or by causing a loss of consciousness or inability to resist, shall be punished in the same matter as prescribed in the preceding Article.

During testimony, the examining physician stated DNA indicated that the minor did not have sex with Ms. Furlong. Therefore, it seems that he would be punished using this statute, Forcible Indecency.

Article 176: A person who, through assault or intimidation, forcibly commits an indecent act upon a male or female of not less than thirteen years of age shall be punished by imprisonment with work for not less than 6 months but not more than 10 years. The same shall apply to a person who commits an indecent act upon a male or female under thirteen years of age.

Therefore, possible punishment would seem to be “punished by imprisonment with work for not less than 6 months but not more than 10 years.”

However, since Ms. Furlong died or was killed (a verdict has yet to be reached in the case), this statute should apply:

Forcible Indecency Causing Death or Injury

Article 181: (1) A person who commits a crime prescribed under Article 176, paragraph (1) of Article 178 or an attempt of the above-mentioned crimes and thereby causes the death or injury of another shall be punished by imprisonment with work for life or for a definite term of not less than 3 years.

(2) A person who commits a crime prescribed under Article 177, paragraph (2) of Article 178 or an attempt of the above-mentioned crimes and thereby causes the death or injury of another shall be punished by imprisonment with work for life or for a definite term of not less than 5 years. 39

(3) A person who commits a crime prescribed for in Article 178-2 or an attempt of the above-mentioned crimes and thereby causes the death or injury of another shall be punished by imprisonment with work for life or for a definite term of not less than 6 years.

If the minor is found guilty in the case, it is possible that he will be fined and sentenced to serve at least another two-years to 4-years in prison UNLESS medical evidence and evidence gathered by the police plays a major role in establishing doubt in the trial testimony and evidence received.

If found guilty, the teen could also be sentenced under “manslaughter” guidelines and be sentenced to five or more years in prison, life imprisonment or even receive the death penalty (if he were sentenced as an adult).

Additionally, if he is charged with Quasi Forcible Indecency or manslaughter, it is possible for him to serve a suspended sentence if the minor’s defense successfully argues for mitigating circumstances.

Ms. Furlong’s sister has called for the death penalty and “two judges sitting in on the case wiped tears from their eyes as the victim impact statements of Nicola’s mum and sister were read out,” according to the Independent.ie.

Nicola Furlong’s mother stated:

In a separate victim impact statement, Nicola Furlong’s mother Angela said that she “had no wish to take a life for a life.” But she added that “given that the defendant has refused to take responsibility for what he did and has instead tried to blacken our daughter’s name with lies, I feel the punishment should at least begin to reflect the pain he has caused.”

The minor again admitted putting his hands around Ms. Furlong’s neck, stating:

Earlier he admitted for the first time that he put his two hands around Ms Furlong’s neck moments before she passed out from strangulation. Mr Hinds, who pleads not guilty to murder, said, “At this time, I had both hands on her neck.”

When asked by the prosecution why he had not mentioned this in questioning by his defence lawyer yesterday, Mr Hinds said, “Well, he didn’t ask.”

He then claimed that since Ms Furlong was killed in the early hours of last May 24th, he had always said he had put his two hands around her neck.

“I maybe wasn’t heard correctly by others, but I have been saying this from the beginning of my investigation nine months ago,” he said.”

When asked by the prosecutor asked why Ms. Furlong died and “whether he understood the testimony last week of two pathologists who said that Ms Furlong died from powerful strangulation that last several minutes,” the minor replied:

“If I misjudged my pressure, I humbly accept it, if I misjudged it” and “that he put his hands on Ms Furlong’s neck to calm her down and that she wanted him to do it to give her sexual pleasure.”

Additionally, the Independent.ie reported that the minor, when testifying about “the blood stains on both beds in his hotel room that matched Ms Furlong’s DNA, stated:

“Ms Furlong had vomited blood on one bed and that the other stains “were possibly from her touching the bed.”

“When questioned about his testimony that Ms Furlong initiated sex with him after awakening from her unconsciousness, Mr Hinds described himself four times as a “gentleman”.

Asked why he had not taken off his clothes if the events were as he alleged, he said, “I am a gentleman.” Asked why did he testify that he had not touched Ms Furlong’s breasts or genital area, he replied, “Like I said, I am a gentleman.”

The minor said, “I do not have an answer for the reason she died, but what I would like to say is that I have apologised for the loss of their daughter.”

The verdict in the minor’s trial charged with killing Ms. Furling is due next Tuesday. SOURCE

The following BT’ers contributed to BT’s reporting of the Nicola Furlong death investigation: @blacktokyo, @onmugen @starrwulfe @ogPegasus303

Have inquiries, an opinion or rant? Feel free to join the discussion via Disqus below.

7 Comments

I understand Hinds part clearly but Blackston’s, not so much. I still have skepticism about him somewhat. People are so used to the “those animals raped her”, they won’t think logical for 1 second. Now that the pieces of the
puzzle are uniting these guys seem less grimey as claimed, at least Hinds.

For instance: The main claim earlier was that hinds strangled Nicola out of a sex refusal then had sex with her corpse. But later the autopsy test reveals none of his DNA or residue from penetration was found in or on her body. So this debunks any claim that Hinds raped Nicola period. All the drugs found were from prescriptions and drinking, no mickeys included. How they got to the hotel still puzzles me due to the evidence can go both ways because the women were drunk. The main reason why I am still skeptical about Blackston is because he fondled Nicolas friend. But how can he be at a hotel and jail simultaneously, awkward.

Btw, Since Nicolas friend had him arrested the alcohol must not been in total control then. It was admitted that they didn’t want the girls to stay in cold rain so they took them to a hotel. The report on the taxi conversation says
nothing so far about them celebrating on what they’re going to do the two once they arrive at the hotel. In an earlier article it said a Japanese hotel worker helped Hinds put Nicola onto a wheelchair. My question is why didn’t he press charges when he saw hinds trying to take an unconscious woman to his room. So he should be held accountable too.

I didn’t understand the part why hinds put his hand around Nicolas neck until this very article. Why he did so has to be related to something of a kinky nature. A similar thing comes to mind that took the life of famous actor David Carradine while he filming on the set of a movie
in Thailand. Well to connect the dots, Hinds didn’t have a condom so he rejected her but still wanted to give her pleasure and it turned out fatal killing her. The only blood found was from the vomit. sink and neck injury. All
the time it took for Nicola to pass out and no scratches being on hinds makes me believe Hinds side, but additional evidence is could force change of heart.

I’m not attacking Nicola but folks don’t be deceived. Her father says Hinds tried to darken her personality and denies she propositioned him for sex. Well, he wasn’t in that very hotel or in Japan that night so who is he to claim so. Almost any parent would deny their child would do anything demoralizing. Plus, people behave differently when around friends and people their age. Everyone has
something they’ve done and didn’t tell mommy or daddy.

A woman wearing a short skirt does justify lust but not rape so don’t condescend my words. Short shorts and skirts are common in Japan but a different vibe is gotten when western women wear them. I mention this because theres a photo where shes dressed in an ultra short skirt with pink high heels on. This gives me the impression she’s beyond the daddy’s little girl stage. However, no one had to die be it intended or not, hinds didn’t have to choke her etc.

If I were female and the same happened to me I can expect my parents to do the same as Nicola’s parent. There is no intent to make probable 2 criminals look innocent but as the story unfolds things don’t seem as what they were claimed in previous reports. Even if they
don’t plead guilty they are still scarred for life for obvious reasons. I’m just trying to relate to both sides because there was a major jump to conclusion on this case.

Delighted that Blackstone got 3 years prison sentence with labour. I hope justice prevails and Hind gets the full maximum 10 year sentence. He showed no remorse whatsoever and his breakdown in court today was too little too late.
Sick of media and some internet sites speculating on what did or did not occur on the night of Nicola Furlongs death. Justice and the administration of justice must be left to those who are charged with doing so.
The way these 2 girls have been portrayed and the pain and hurt their families must have felt was unfair and unwarranted. Indeed you would have to sympathise with all of families affected by this case. N
Rest in Peace Nocola, your family have done you proud in seeking justice.

Do shut up will you. The folks at blacktokyo are actually trying to inform people about what happened and so far they have been spot on. Now if you want to be another hysterical angry women go do it somewhere else because no body gives a shit.

“The man accused of murdering Nicola Furlong in Tokyo last year broke down in court and told the Furlong family that he firmly believed he did not kill their daughter.

Richard Hinds, 19, from Memphis, Tennessee, said Ms Furlong’s death had given him “a painful thorn”.

The prosecution and defence lawyers delivered their closing arguments, after which the accused was asked if he wanted to say anything to the court.

Mr Hinds broke down for the first time during the trial.

He said he believed that “nothing good, bad or ugly will go through me without going through God first”.

He said the death of Ms Furlong had given him “a thorn”.

It had given the Furlongs a thorn, as well as the defence and prosecution lawyers, he said

Mr Hinds said when he looked around the court, he saw a room full of humans, not gods.He told the judges that he was not “a professional strangler, a murderer or a pervert” but that he did feel deep remorse for the family of Ms Furlong.

He was interrupted twice by a prosecution lawyer.

To the Furlongs directly, he said he “firmly” believed he did not kill their daughter and he told them that she did not suffer.

The prosecution has called for a sentence of ten years, which is the maximum a minor under 20 can receive in Japan.

The judges have retired to consider their verdict, which is due to be delivered next Tuesday.”

Appreciation Zurui, for giving non-diluted and non-biased info. I figured
he’d be convicted guilty when it was mentioned that the judges cried as her
family told their story, I knew what was bound to happen him. Since he’s in a
courtroom full of people who’s not on his side it’s well known that his fate was sealed. But he could have gotten life or the death
penalty, people might not care for his side of the story now but maybe later
they will. I am someone who does but unfortunately I am not Hinds lawyer.
However I didn’t always feel this way with the flash-mobbing gone bad on the
subway and early story etc. I was brainwashed and reminded of hearsay bad news
about Roppongi Nigerians, and black marines on base. As a fellow black man all of this
put much stress on me so I’ve been following the case. And this article here is the latest. I found it unfair how they interrupted to censor his
argument when he gave clear details. Won’t say is Hinds a monster because he
didn’t drug and rape Nicola. Won’t say Hinds is innocent because she died in
his hands. A lesson has been learned by many, if one wanna give a woman pleasure without
having sex don’t pull a stunt like that of Hinds. However, more evidence has yet to come so I’m keeping my mind and heart open because 360 degree turns do happen..